Elliott Simon Atwell, Child Exploitation, Virginia 2020

A shocking case of child exploitation has been unearthed in Charlottesville, Virginia, with the arrest of a bodybuilding coach who allegedly enticed and coerced at least six minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct. Elliott Simon Atwell, 33, of Charlottesville, was taken into custody on multiple charges related to child exploitation.

According to court documents, Atwell’s alleged crimes took place between 2013 and April 2020. During this period, he allegedly produced recordings of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, enticed a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity, and possessed images of minors, including prepubescent minors and minors under 12 years of age, who were engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Atwell is charged with four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, one count of enticement of a minor, and one count of possession of child pornography. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to life in prison. The FBI is investigating the case, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia is prosecuting the charges.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

Any individuals who believe they or someone they know may have been victimized by Atwell are encouraged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI. An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The investigation into Atwell’s alleged crimes is ongoing, and the FBI is urging anyone with information to come forward. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of protecting our children from exploitation and abuse.

Defendant: Elliott Simon Atwell

Criminal Charges: four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, one count of enticement of a minor, and one count of possession of child pornography

City and State: Charlottesville, Virginia

Date: between 2013 and April 2020

Sentence or Outcome: up to life in prison

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

Sex Crimes

Clint Edwards, Child Enticement, New York 2018

Dec 3, 2018

Sex Crimes

Charlene Ortiz-Cordova, Sexual Harassment, New Mexico 2024

Jan 9, 2009

Sex Crimes

William Patrick King, Child Pornography, Florida 2018

Oct 10, 2018

Sex Crimes

Stanley Lee Lumbardy, Attempted Receipt of Child Pornography, South Dakota 2021

Aug 19, 2021